Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Public oppose cuts for Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter

MEDIA RELEASE

Strictly embargoed until 6.00pm, Thursday 17 January.

Public oppose funding cuts for Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter

Plans to cut ratepayer funding to Auckland’s Westpac Recue Helicopter are out of step with public opinion, according to a newly released survey.

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust is set to lose a quarter of its current $1.2 million per year ratepayer funding, which will force the service to rely more heavily on donations from the public.

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust Chairman Murray Bolton says if the increased shortfall is not met by donor support the proposed funding cut could mean rescue helicopters being available for fewer hours and with reduced capability. It could also put at risk the ability to purchase a much-needed replacement helicopter in 2015.

While the funding cut could have significant impacts on the service, to restore the funding to the level requested would equate to an additional 64 cents per ratepayer.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is the only one of 10 ratepayer-funded regional amenities in line for a funding cut but the public have judged the service to be the most deserving of all the amenities in a recent Phoenix Research Survey.

“On the question of which regional amenities benefit most Aucklanders we came out comfortably ahead of the rest and when asked how they would allocate funding the public put us at the front of the queue,” Mr Bolton says.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“We are in no way trying to target other amenities that receive funding but we are seeking a fair and equitable result.”

The Phoenix Research found that 86% of respondents said that the Westpac Rescue Helicopter benefits most Aucklanders. Results for the other nine regional amenities were between 10.4% and 68.5%.

The survey also asked respondents, if given $100 how would they allocate it across the regional amenities. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was the organisation they wanted

to fund most, allocating it an average of $22.50 compared to between $4.10 and $13.80 for the other nine regional amenities.

“This compares to our actual allocation of $6.50 out of every $100 of ratepayer funding, under the Regional Amenities Funding Board’s proposal,” Mr Bolton says. “What they are proposing is simply not enough to meet our needs.”

Of those surveyed 46.2% were in favour of Auckland Council increasing its use of rates to fund the regional amenities with 35.6% opposed to the idea.

Phoenix Research surveyed 1004 Aucklanders online in late 2012 and the survey has a margin of error of + or 3.1%.

The proposed funding cut is outlined in the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board’s Draft Funding Plan 2013-14 which proposes cutting Westpac Rescue Helicopter funds for the second time in three years.

If it goes ahead the rescue helicopter will be allocated $900,000 of ratepayer funding for 2013-14 to run the two-helicopter service required to meet current demand. That compares to $1.5 million in 2009-10 when the service operated only one helicopter.

“We have just had our busiest holiday period on record,” Mr Bolton says. This does not provide adequate sustainable funding for Auckland’s Westpac Rescue Helicopter,” Mr Bolton says.

“We hope the public support for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in this survey will be reflected in submissions to the Regional Amenities Funding Board.”

The public have until February 8 to make a submission. More information and submission forms are available at www.rescuehelicopter.org.nz.

Auckland Council will have the final say in March on whether or not the proposed funding cuts go ahead.

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.